Category Archives: Online Gambling

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DetailsAuthor: Jeremy Smith, a founder and Senior Business Project Manager at freeslotshub.com; Michael Shackleford, Doyle Brunson

Key Terms: Online gambling regulation, USA gambling laws, casino gaming license, legal gambling in the United States.

Main Questions: - USA states that allow online gambling;

- Best online gambling sites USA;

- Main online gambling regulations;

- Legal gambling age, restrictions and prohibitions.

The online gambling USA market conducted through the internet is growing at a rapid pace. A forecast conducted by research & markets indicates that this industry will bring a total of $92.9 billion in revenue in 2023. Every state in the U.S. has rules and guidelines governing this industry. It is essential to know that these legal criteria differ from person to person, and depending on where you're from, your game's behavior could be affected due to these differences. Several states in this country have passed legislation that allows certain types of gambling, online poker, horse betting, E-sports, free slots, bingo, and lotteries. It is possible to play at a younger age in some states than in others. Depending on where you live, its wagering age might range anywhere from 18 - 21 years old.

When the World Wide Web was becoming more and more famous (the 1990s), online gambling USA appeared as a means to avoid government regulation and prohibition. After a long period, this industry's rules were set by U.S. legislation. Because it was established to work with anti-racketeering legislation, this legislation was drafted before the internet was even a thought.

States allowed online gambling when the Department of Justice (DOJ) allowed them to do so (2011). Our next discussion will be on legislation relating to illegal online gambling. People who disobeyed, federal or state, cannot be compensated by internet gaming businesses. It regulates ways whereby payments for transactions in this industry are processed.

It was made illegal in 2006 by the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act for betting establishments to accept payment for not legal Internet gambling. As a result of this Act and the Department of Justice's threats of legal action under the Wire Act, some companies have withdrawn from the United States market. Some proposals to ease federal Internet gambling law in 2007 from House members. After the Supreme Court rejected the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (1992) in 2018, its government's veto on sports betting was abolished. According to a recent DOJ ruling, legal internet betting in the U.S. is subject to the 1961 Wire Act, meaning states can only offer these services to their residents.

The Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012 helps Delaware Lottery and video lottery agents better serve customers in a market that is growing more and more competitive. This statute grants the Delaware Lottery the authority to regulate and manage legal online gambling USA under the supervision of its lottery. Every state in the U.S. can establish and implement its legislation. It is very important to study online gambling USA laws in order to be aware of all the rules and restrictions.

The federal government permits online gambling controlled by a state's legislature. Because of the U.S. Supreme Court, mobile and online betting services are available in many states. In states where you cannot bet on online sports, 80% of all sports wagers are online.

This shift in the gambling sector has been driven by several jurisdictions lowering their playing age from 18. Regarding risk and impulsiveness, men are more prone to playing than women, and the risk-takers they are, the greater their likelihood of gambling. This industry is popular with males because they are more willing to accept risks than women. Compared to women, men (69%) were twice as likely to engage or participate in it (36%).

Each state's laws determine the legal status of internet gambling in the U.S. Its general rule is that virtual activity is illegal unless individual jurisdictions pass specific legislation.

An operator of an online casino must receive a license to offer gaming services lawfully. A lack of it puts an online platform's ability to operate successfully in jeopardy because owners will be unable to set up a bank account or even add games to their website.

These are the major pieces of legislation that affect all 50 states. Federal legislation establishes broad guidelines for the gaming industry but does not provide many specifics. Some of the most significant federal betting legislation in the U.S. includes:

Quote:In the USA, legality of online gambling depends on varied state laws. As a rule of thumb, virtual is prohibited , unless states enact laws. This is the case with states like West Virginia, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey which have express legal terms for online casino gaming. - Write Dailygazette.com in a study about Federal Gambling Laws USA 2022. [Review Link]

States That Allow Online Gambling USA

Some parts of this country have enacted regulations for its gaming sector. Some of them hold more strict laws than others. It's vital to remember that these controls can be affected by your country of origin and the regulations that govern them. We'll walk through numerous rules and regulators in different states to make participation in this real-money online casino sector in the United States easier. There are a few places where it is permitted. Consider the states with legalized online gambling USA:

What about Other States?

Casino games are entertaining and interesting to play on a computer and a tabletop. It's an opportunity to make extra money, but it should only be seen as such. After a long day at the office, it's nice to unwind with this. Other advantages of real-money online gaming include:

The future of online gaming is mobile-friendly. Operators across the board are putting a lot of money into this area. Finding mobile-optimized casinos is important if you want to bet while mobile. Legit gambling websites operating in this country with valid licenses can be trusted to provide safe and secure services.Some casinos, including BetMGM and FanDuel, two well-known U.S. online casinos, regularly pay out huge jackpots to lucky winners of their slot machines.

What about other features?

US Online Gambling Laws: Regulatory in the USA

At length, we'll discuss the authorities that govern these states and their lawful gaming activities. In 2021, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey had the highest gross income for casinos. The following is a breakdown of gaming revenue.

State

Regulated Under

Legal Gambling Activities

Launch Date

New Jersey

New Jersey Lottery Commission,

The Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Casino Control Commission,

The Racing Commission

The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission

Internet casinos are not regulated

Internet gambling is not legal in New Jersey, unlike our Atlantic City casinos,

Bookmaking and sports betting are not legal in New Jersey.

November, 2013

Michigan

The Michigan Gaming Control Board consists of five members (MGCB)

lotteries, charitable gambling, and horse racing, Land-based & ONLINE gambling are legal and regulated by MGCB. Gambling activity requires license

2021

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)

casino gambling, the Pennsylvania Lottery, horse racing, Bingo, and small games of chance

Oct. 30, 2017

West Virginia

The West Virginia Lottery Commission (WVLC)

Licensed dog racing and parimutuel wagering are allowed. Video lottery games, which can look like a slot machine, are allowed at parimutuel racing facilities. Lotteries and online casinos minimum age is 21.

March 27, 2019

Delaware

Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement, Delaware Lottery (DDGE)

Gambling activities like horse racing, off-track betting, dog racing, offline and online casinos are allowed and regulated. License is required

2013

Illinois

Illinois Gambling Board (IGB)

Illinois Racing Board (IRC),

IGB, Illinois Lottery Control Board, Department of the Lottery (DOL)

Casino Gaming including slots, casino table games, poker, betting and bingo are not permitted. Lottery and horse racing are allowed and regulated.

mid-2019

New York

New York State Gaming Commission

the New York Council on Problem Gambling

the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act

Live horse racing, betting off-track betting, mobile sports betting, a state lottery, tribal casinos, racinos and commercial casinos are legal. Online casinos, online slots real money USA and poker are not regulated.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Lottery Commission Racing,

Charitable Gaming Commission

Bingo, Lucky7, Games of Chance are regulated under license, Horse & Dog Racing

May 1, 2020

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Gaming Commission

Illegal lotteries, sweepstakes, Permits up to 3 offline casinos and 1 slots-only casino in the state. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is legal. Gambling online is legal, but unregulated

November, 201

Louisiana

Louisiana Gaming Control Law

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USA Gambling Regulations: Casino Gaming License & States with Legal Online Gambling - Native News Online

Last week, Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale made two different wagers $2 million each on the Houston Astros to win the 2022 World series at +500 odds. According to numerous reports, Mattress Mack has at least $10 million wagered on the Astros to win the World Series in October.

McIngvale is a businessman from Houston who is known in the community as Mattress Mack for owning multiple furniture stores. Over the last few years, Mattress Mack runs a special promotion at his stores where you can win back the cost of your furniture if you spend at least $3,000 and the Astros win the World Series.

These seven-figure bets on the Astros are nothing more than a hedge and publicity stunt for McIngvale, but a lot of people get excited when they hear the words Mattress Mack uttered. Real sports bettors loathe his antics because its nothing more than a business promotion, but Astros fans love his enthusiasm.

Who knew that the furniture racket was so lucrative. Im clearly in the wrong business. Oh, and in case youre curious, we love to fade Mattress Mack. Whenever he bets a team, we always bet the other way. Im holding an MLB futures ticket on the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers to win the World Series. Betting chalk might not be sexy, but we love fading Mattress Mack.

Sports betting and online gambling is illegal in Texas among other things, so McIngvale flies a private jet to states with legal sports betting.

During the All-Star Break, there was a Mattress Mack Alert at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas. McIngvale walked into the Bellagio and plopped down $2 million in wagers on the Houston Astros to win the World Series at +500 odds. BetMGM operates the Bellagio sports book, and Mattress Mack posted four single bets consisting of $500,000 each on the Astros to win. At 5/1 odds, Mattress Mack will bank $10 million from those wagers.

McIngvale was not done when he fired away another Mattress Mack wager in Iowa. Yes, Iowa. He flew to the middle of the country so he could access his Fan Duel account. He wagered another $2 million on the Astros to win the World Series at +500 odds. Once again, if the Astros win, hell add $10 million to his account.

In less than 48 hours in two different states, Mattress Mack wagered $4 million on his beloved Astros to win the World Series, which would pay out $20 million.

But wait, theres more!

Mattress Mack made $3 million in wagers earlier in the season. In May, the Astros were anywhere from 10/1 or 12/1 odds to win the World Series. He got down $1 million on the Astros at +1200 odds, and then fired an additional $3 million wager on the Astros at +1000. If the Astros win, Mattress Mack will bank $42 million from his May wagers. If you include the most-recent bets in Louisiana, Las Vegas and Iowa, Mattress Mack has $72 million at stake with $10 million invested.

Read more:

Mattress Mack Bets $4 Million on the Houston Astros to Win the World... - Online Gambling

That said, there are plenty of shadly online pokies sites in New Zealand so you might need a hand finding the right one for you.

The online casinos on this page are ranked based on strict benchmarks like game selection, bonus fairness, mobile optimization and more. Europa won out for these reasons and more, but theres a lot more where that came from.

Lets take a deeper look so you can start to play pokies online.

Best Online Pokies Sites in NZ

Europa is a trusted name in the world of NZ online pokies. The website was launched in 2001 and currently hosts 1300+ slot titles. The reason why its No. 1 today is because of how well-rounded the online casino is, plus the sweet welcome bonus.

Variety & Quality of Online Pokies: 4.5/5

Europa hosts 1300+ online slots in its catalogue of 1500+ casino games. All pokie games on the platform come from one provider, Playtech.

While some players prefer having more online pokies games developers to choose from, Playtech is one of the leaders in the online gaming industry, and you're bound to appreciate the quality of their progressive jackpots.

Age of the Gods is a 5-reel classic you can enjoy on Europa, boasting a solid 95.02% RTP, and we always have a blast playing it. For other popular online pokies, check out the 97% RTP Wild Gambler or Green Lantern.

The Europa catalogue also offers free pokies to New Zealand players, plus other online games. We must also highlight the top-tier blackjack variants and the live casino section.

Bonuses & Promotions: 4.9/5

With a $2,400 welcome bonus, Europa boasts one of the most impressive figures a New Zealand player can take advantage of.

The casino will match your first deposit up to $100 at a 100% match rate. The minimum deposit requirement is $10. Also included in the mix is a $25 weekly loyalty bonus, bringing your monthly bonus earnings to $200

But that's just the beginning.

The offer extends to a full year, meaning you can make a routine from those bonus claims and fetch up to $200 a month for 12 months, bringing us to that $2,400 figure.

The wagering requirements are 30x, which is lower than a fair share of the competition, and only pokies and scratch cards contribute 100%.

Banking Options & Payout Times: 4.9/5

Europa covers a lot of ground in terms of banking options. The casino's payment methods page lists over 50 possibilities, accepting several international currencies.

The list covers traditional fiat methods like wire transfers and credit cards but also prepaid cards, some of which can grant you as much as 15% extra cash.

The payment methods we would like to highlight are VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club, PayPal, POLi, Giropay, Skrill, Neteller, Instadebit, EcoCard, and the Kiwi Wallet.

When it comes to payouts, you can opt for 15 methods, including ecoPayz, Neteller, and Skrill. Depending on your preference, withdrawal fees can apply.

Mobile Optimization & User Interface: 4.8/5

Europa Online Casino is 100% mobile-friendly, with instant-play titles or downloadable versions. Whether you opt for mobile or desktop play, the games will equally contribute to the wagering requirements.

The user interface strikes us as highly professional and elegant, similar to the websites of the best retail casinos in the world.

Customer Support & Online Presence: 4/5

If you are a registered New Zealand player at Europa, you can reach out to the support team via live chat. Instant chat is the fastest option, but you can also communicate over email or an international phone line.

The representatives are available every day of the week from 6 AM to midnight GMT. While the casino is active on social media, we would appreciate more activity.

2. Spin Casino - Best New Zealand Pokie Site for Mobile Games

Spin Casino is a well-established online gaming platform that has been in the business since 2001. The casino stands out with a selection of 400 quality online pokies.

Variety & Quality of Online Pokies: 4.8/5

Spin Casino allows you to take your pick from a catalogue of 400+ pokies from three industry leaders: Microgaming, NetEnt, and Evolution Gaming.

You can play free pokies online on the platform or put real money on the line. Players enjoy classic slots of progressive jackpot titles, and we recommend Diamond King Jackpots and Avalon.

The rest of the catalogue includes an impressive number of live games. Roulette variants are another highlight for 25 picks to choose from.

Upon further investigation, you will notice that Spin Casino offers a selection of table games on par with the top online casinos, including 27 blackjack variations and three online poker channels.

Bonuses & Promotions: 4/5

If you're a new player on the block, Spin Casino will greet you with up to NZ$1,000 in welcome bonus funds. That's a sweet amount, though were not the biggest fans of the steep 70x rollover requirements.

To get more specific, the welcome package is divided into three deposit bonus offers, each with a 100% match. The first deposit grants you up to NZ$400 bonus funds, while the subsequent two carry up to NZ$300 each.

You can claim the welcome offer within seven days of creating an account and must use the funds within two months.The online casino also offers daily jackpot rewards.

Banking Options & Payout Times: 4.5/5

New Zealand players can choose from five banking options at Spin Casino: Paysafecard, Neteller, MasterCard, VISA, and direct wire transfers.

The minimum deposit is NZ$10, and while the online casino does not charge any deposit fees, your card issuer might include extra charges.

Deposits are nearly-instant, while payouts take up to 48 hours depending on the method.

Mobile Optimization & User Interface: 5/5

Spin Casino offers mobile and web access to its catalogue of New Zealand online pokies. The page load times are way above average, and the platform maintains a good balance between clean and fancy.

The backgrounds are white with black text, which is the least eye-taxing option, and the SSL encryption is always welcome at the best real money online pokie sites.

While the platform is yet to roll out a dedicated app, you can enjoy instant-play versions of your favourite games from any iOS or Android mobile device. Spin beats most online casinos in this department by a mile.

Customer Support & Online Presence: 4/5

Spin Casino includes a Contact Us button right in the main menu, which is a plus as many online casinos tend to make the contact page a bit more obscure.

You can contact the casino's support agents any day of the week, 24/7, including holidays. Live chat is the best option in our opinion, as the team will reply almost instantly.

On the downside, this online casino is not active on social media and offers no options for public discussion. However, the support team is highly responsive, polite, and will go the extra mile to address your inquiry.

3. Hell Spin - Best New Zealand Pokie Site for Free Spins

Hell Spin is a hot new casino on the block. The platform was launched only recently and has already established a reputation as a safe gambling site with thousands of games and sweet bonus spins.

Variety & Quality of Online Pokies: 4.9/5

Hell Spin is the home of over 4,000 real money pokies from over 30 software studios. The website covers smaller and larger developers, boasting an exceptional selection of 500+ live casino games on the side.

The slots repertoire includes 3-reel and 5-reel titles. With 4,000 titles, all slot types are covered, including progressive jackpots, video slots, and more. Free games are also available.

If you're on the lookout for your new favourite real money pokies game, we recommend checking out Sun Of Egypt 2, Black Wolf, or the man in black Johnny Cash.

In the live dealer department you can check out blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, and more.

Bonuses & Promotions: 4.8/5

Hell Spin promos stand out with free spins. The first deposit match is 100% up to $300, admittedly nothing special, but the 100 free spins on top are a nice bit of compensation.

It gets better for the second deposit - 50% up to $900 plus 50 free spins.

The minimum deposit requirement is $25 for each promo. The wagering requirements are average at 40x for the bonus money, while 1x for the free spins is as good as it gets.

Banking Options & Payout Times: 4.9/5

Unlike the New Zealand online casinos we've listed so far, Hell Spin supports cryptocurrency. So, in addition to credit cards, Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, and more fiat options, you can handle your banking using Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin.

The minimum deposit is NZ$15, while payout times vary from 12 hours to 7 days, depending on your preferred banking method.

As you might have guessed, crypto is the fastest option - and cheapest.

Mobile Optimization & User Interface: 4.8/5

The Hell Spin theme is original and memorable. We love the design and the vibe, although it does come with the cost of slightly lower page load times.

The search bar does a solid job, and while it may not display the search results instantly, finding your way through that 4k+ catalogue of games would be a drag without it.

Its fun to play online with this fiery, Halloween-like interface. As noted, the cool visuals only cause a minor performance drop. For the hellish looks and unique vibe, it's worth it.

Customer Support & Online Presence: 4.5/5

Clicking the support button in the main menu will open the live chat, which is available to registered users only.

The support agents will handle your inquiry within minutes. You can also contact the casino via email, in which case it might take 12-24 hours to get a reply.

The Hell Spin Online Casino is not active on social media. Combined with the lack of phone support, the platform fails to reach the perfect score in this benchmark.

4. PlayOJO - New Zealand Pokies Site with a No Wagering Bonus

PlayOJO is a massive name for all players looking for online pokies in NZ. The casino hosts over 4,000 titles, including the widely popular Mega Moolah and even a selection of exclusive games. The welcome bonus offer comes with 0x wagering requirements.

Variety & Quality of Online Pokies: 4.9/5

You can enjoy pokies from over a dozen software developers at PlayOJO, including Play'n Go, Evolution, Yggdrasil, NetEnt, Microgaming, and more.

We must praise the platform for hosting exclusive games like The OJO Wheel. If you want the popular options, don't miss Mega Moolah. Mega Moolah is the pokie game that once landed over NZ$35 million from a bet of less than a dollar.

Apart from Mega Moolah, popular online pokies in NZ include Rainbow Riches, Book Of The Dead, and more. Options for playing free online pokies games are also available on the platform.

Bonuses & Promotions: 4.8/5

The welcome promotion at PlayOJO comes with zero wagering requirements. This means that you can use the bonus right away and not spend any money to cash out your earnings.

Just make the minimum deposit of $10, and you'll score 50 free spins that you can spend on the Book Of The Dead online pokie. Almost all casino sites we review include rollover requirements to their bonuses, so this is a significant plus.

Unfortunately, the first deposit bonus fun ends here as there are no cash matches to speak of.

Banking Options & Payout Times: 4.6/5

While PlayOJO does not support crypto payments, fiat options are pretty varied. You can handle your finances at the casino using Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, PayPal, Neteller, Paysafecard, Skrill, ecoPayz, direct e-banking, and more.

We like the inclusion of e-wallets and that minimum deposits are always $10 regardless of your payment preference. In most cases, you can withdraw any sum you want, except when using PayPal, which carries a $20 minimum withdrawal requirement.

Mobile Optimization & User Interface: 4.9/5

PlayOJO is optimised for all mobile casino players. The platform sports a light-coloured design that loads swiftly while retaining brand recognition.

As a major plus, PlayOJO is available in the mobile app version for iOS and Android users. The pages load swiftly and are secured with the latest SSL encryption.

Customer Support & Online Presence: 4.7/5

The FAQ library is neatly organised and covers all critical areas on how online pokies work.

You can contact the support representatives through live chat or via email. While the website is yet to open a dedicated phone line for support, the casino is active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even YouTube.

5. Bitstarz - Best Crypto Online Pokies for NZ Players

Bitstarz is constantly ranked among the best crypto online casinos, and for a good reason. The platform hosts over 3,500 casino games, boasts a no deposit promotion and even accepts NZD.

Variety & Quality of Online Pokies: 4.9/5

You can check out around 3,500 games on the site from 19 software studios. The site hosts provably fair games, meaning that you can access the blockchain-based algorithm for free to check the fairness and randomness.

We also like the inclusion of exclusive pokie games like Master Of Starz, a nifty little progressive jackpot title. There is also one of the best original games menus going, if youre looking for new fun.

Bonuses & Promotions: 4.8/5

Just for registering, Bitstarz will grant you 20 free spins. Then when youre ready to make a deposit, you can score up to 5 BTC in bonus funds over your first four deposits.

Players are required to deposit at least 0.0002 BTC to claim the welcome promotion, while the wagering requirements are slightly high at 40x.

Read more:

Best online pokies sites in New Zealand ranked for pokies game variety, jackpot size, and reputation - Business Insider Africa

The shifting, quaking earth under the 3-year-old division slid once again Saturday, when 6/5 favorite Epicenter put away Zandon, Tawny Port and Early Voting, winning the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga by 1 lengths.

Put aside for the moment that Epicenter passed the $2 million mark in career earnings with the $330,000 payday. Shelve for an instant that Epicenter won his first race in four months after finishing second as the post-time favorite in the first two legs of the Triple Crown.

The takeaway from Epicenters fifth win in nine races is hes once again, the 3-year-old to beat when it comes to year-end honors. Yes, theres a flavor-of-the-month quality to this division; see Haskell Stakes winner Cyberknife for an example.

But the fluid nature of this division is further based largely on two factors: the depth this sophomore class shows and the fact that outside of the 20-horse free-for-all known as the Kentucky Derby, none of the top 3-year-olds have run against each other in any significant numbers. The trainers of the various top-shelf 3-year-olds have cherry-picked their spots even more so than usual, especially in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

That ends now. More accurately, it ends Aug. 27, with the Grade 1 Travers Stakes. Thats the race trainers such as Chad Brown (Zandon, Early Voting), Steve Asmussen (Epicenter), Brad Cox (Cyberknife) and Todd Pletcher (Charge It) circled in red ink. The winner of that race goes into the Breeders Cup Classic as first-among-equals in the 3-year-old class.

The plot line here circles back to Epicenter. Hes 5-for-9, with more than $2.2 million in the bank and one missed board in those nine starts. Three of his five victories came in graded stakes and a fourth in a black-type race. He finished second in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness by a combined two lengths.

A Travers victory would make him the 14th horse in history to pull off the Jim Dandy/Travers double. And yet, the colt considered the best all-around 3-year-old still lacks a Grade 1 victory. Asmussen is acutely aware of this gap in his star colts resume. And what the Travers means.

Its extremely rewarding off two tough races to bring him back in the winners circle where we think he belongs, Asmussen said after the race. (In) a four-horse field, its always a lot of mobility. What I loved about it is the fact that (there is) another eighth in the Travers. It was his first race ever over Saratoga and we know whats on the menu next. We want to be as ready as we possibly can for it.

Make no mistake. Epicenter wont have the luxury of a four-horse field in the Travers. He got off to a slow start in the Jim Dandy and had to close in the final furlong. This isnt Epicenters preferred running style and the short Jim Dandy field allowed him and Joel Rosario to adjust accordingly.

The Jim Dandy race dynamic flipped conventional wisdom on its head. Pace-presser Epicenter found himself in last on the backstretch. Closer Zandon found himself near the lead. Front-runner Early Voting found himself on the lead as usual but was outkicked in the stretch by not only Epicenter, but runner-up Zandon and third-place Tawny Port.

Early Voting held off Epicenter by 1 lengths en route to the Preakness title.

We sort of inherited the lead and thats fine, Brown said after the race. On paper, most tracks youd say 12 and change (seconds for the first eighth) is not too bad, but this track has been pretty tiring. Clearly, Early Voting just didnt handle this track. Well see how he comes back.

As far as Zandon goes, he was a little closer than he probably wants to run. I dont think (jockey) Flavien (Prat) had any other option. I thought he rode the horse fine. Hopefully, in a bigger field, I can get the horse back.

Prat echoed those sentiments. He said he thought Epicenter and Early Voting would set a strong pace for Zandon to close into. Instead, Zandon broke well and put himself next to Early Voting.

Its probably not where he wants to be, but it was the natural thing, Prat said after the race.

Theres a month for Brown to get his horse back, and for him to figure out what happened to Early Voting who finished last of four. Theres a month for Cox to mull over sending Ohio Derby winner Tawny Port into the deep end of the 3-year-old pool the Travers.

And theres a month remaining for Asmussen to keep his status as the trainer of the best 3-year-old in the country. Even as you hang an asterisk on it with the caption for now.

Originally posted here:

Epicenter Answers the Question: Who's The Best 3-Year-Old... - Online Gambling

As Todd Pletcher sees it with Wit, the turf pedigree is there. As he sees it through recency bias, moving him to grass has a good precedent. And as Pletcher sees it through recent history, why not?

The Hall of Fame trainer moves his 3-year-old multiple graded stakes winner to the grass for Fridays Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame at Saratoga. That one-mile race for sophomores on Saratogas inner turf course also features Wow Whata Summer.

You remember Wow Whata Summer from his 83/1 upset of Pletchers previously unbeaten Annapolis two starts ago in the Grade 2 Penn Mile at Penn National. You probably missed his next start, an uninspiring fifth in the Grade 3 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park July 2.

As for Wit, Pletcher moves him to turf despite a 3-1-1 record in six career starts. Hes hit the board in four of his five graded stakes races (2-1-1), including victories in the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga and the Grade 3 Bay Shore earlier this year at Aqueduct. One of the earliest 2022 Kentucky Derby prospects off two career-opening wins, Wit finished second to Gunite in the Grade 1 Hopeful. He later finished a non-threatening third to Jack Christopher by nearly 10 lengths in the Grade 1 Champagne last year.

This year, Wit has that Bay Shore score, coming when he went three-wide and nosed out Highly Respected. He also has his lone out-of-the-money finish: a last-out fourth in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens on the Belmont Stakes undercard. Not that anyone was beating Jack Christopher that day; he won by 10 lengths. But Wit finished closer to last-place Morello (one length) than second-place Pappacap (four lengths).

That got Pletchers wheels turning. He enjoyed watching Emmanuel make a successful switch from dirt to grass. That 3-year-old finished third in the Grade 1 Blue Grass, which didnt stop Pletcher from putting him on turf. In turn, Emmanuel rewarded his connections by winning the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge June 4.

So Pletcher sent Wit off and running on the Oklahoma training turf at Saratoga. His first workout on July 22 produced a bullet 47.95-second half mile breeze that was best of 63 at that distance. Wit worked alongside graded stakes-placed Scottish Star. A subsequent four-furlong breeze eight days later came in at 50.29.

He seemed to really take to the turf. It seemed pretty clear that he took to it, Pletcher told the New York Racing Association. It was a good, strong work and an energetic gallop out. It just seemed that he enjoyed himself out there.

Finally, Pletcher went to the bloodlines. He pointed out Wit, a Practical Joke colt who went for $575,000 in the 2020 Keenland September Yearling Sale, came out of Numero dOro. The daughter of Medaglia dOro carries plenty of green grass in her red bloodlines. Wits great-grandsire on his dams side, El Prado, won two Group 1 races in Ireland.

The Medaglia dOro bottom side kind of made you think about (turf), Pletcher said. It was mainly just about giving him a try on it. There was enough pedigree that suggested it could work.

If it does, horseplayers have another intriguing turf contender to consider on the deepening New York grass circuit. One who could challenge Chad Browns endless barn of grass standouts.

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With Precedent and Pedigree, Wit Brings His Next Act to the... - Online Gambling

Manchester City is set to look at other transfer market opportunities after Brighton refused to lower their $61 million asking price for Marc Cucurella.

City are still keen on the player, but made it clear theres no chance that such a high demand will be met. According to The Athletic, the latest City bid for Cucurella went as high as $48 million on Friday.

Cucurella, a 2021 signing from Getafe, had a consistent first season in Brighton. He played a total of 38 games, scoring once and assisting two goals. He had remarkable stats in the attack and defense as well, including tackles and passes in the opponent final third. Cucurella was voted Brightons Player of the Season. The club paid Spanish side Getafe $18 million before the start of the previous campaign to land the Barcelona Academy graduate, who proved an instant hit in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old submitted a transfer request, trying to force his move to City, but Brighton didnt seem impressed, as the clubs board insists he wont move for less than their current valuation. Cucurella wasnt involved in Brightons 5-1 win over Espanyol in a friendly on Saturday.

City allowed Ukrainian left back Oleksandr Zinchenjo to join Arsenal this month, looking for an upgrade for the position. The Premier League champions added Erling Haaland, Kalvin Philips and Julian Alvarez to their ranks.

Manchester City sits at the top of the favorites list to win the 2022-23 edition of the Premier League. It would be the third consecutive league triumph for Pep Guardiolas boys and their fifth in six years. City sits at -200 to win the Premier League, ahead of Liverpool at +220. Chelsea is regarded as an outsider in the title race at +1300, with Tottenham behind at +1400. Manchester United is even further away at +2500.

City also tops the Champions League odds compiler, at +275. Liverpool comes second at +500, while Paris Saint-Germain stands third at +600.

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City Refuses to Match Brighton's $61 Million Valuation of Cucurella, as They Turn to Other Left-Back... - Online Gambling

By Kamalendu Bali

The online gaming industry has keenly followed the developments of the 47th GST Council meet that happened over 28-29th June. Recommendations had been made to raise the taxation rate for the online gaming industry to 28% on entire consideration value as against current 18% at the platform fee or GGR.

The decision resulting from this meetingwhether acceptance or otherwise, of the aforementioned proposal will have a business viability impact on the entire online skill gaming industry. It is critical to ensure that the decision helps the industry thrive rather than lose its footing in the country.

As per recent updates, the government has deferred the decision for around 2 weeks to further discuss the industry viewpoints. The Central government has introduced several positive measures like forming a AVGC taskforce, the Inter-Ministerial Task Force to come up with a regulatory policy, holding meetings with key online skill gaming industry players to understand the sectors growth potential and concerns and more.

On the other hand, the Group of Ministers for GST on online gaming have associated the genre of online gaming with gambling, betting, casino and lottery, etc. This signals nothing but a negative spiral for the gaming industry. Industry players are perplexed at the lack of clarity, and their overstayed welcome in a grey area.

The genre of online gaming has been pulled to defend itself multiple times, and all its achievements and contributions to the economy are little consolation to those who continue to scrutinise it negatively. Looking at it from a legal standpoint, several High Courts and even the Supreme Court have recognised online games of skill as legitimate business activities protected under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India.

On the other hand, games of chance like lottery, gambling, betting or wagering are res extra commercium in nature and the protection and legitimacy that online skill games have does not extend to these other forms that it is being clubbed with.

An even more prominent point to note is that Article 14 of the Constitution of India clearly spells out that unequals shall not be treated equally. Therefore, online skill games have to be treated differently than other forms of games of chance like lottery, gambling and betting.

In light of legal discrepancies in the suggested tax measures, industry experts have also pointed out how the industry could collapse with a valuation metric change. Applying tax on the entire value of consideration would significantly reduce the amount of player winnings and repel player interest on legal platforms. This move could also lead to an increase in illegal platforms that contribute nothing to the exchequer, making it an unwinnable situation for everyone involved.

Slated to touch $5 billion dollars in the next 3 years and being a beacon for Investments, the online skill gaming industry has played a key role in helping national growth and driving revenue for the government. The government has even acknowledged this growth and given support to the industry. The recent developments could potentially smear ink over these efforts and the past successes of this industry.

If we study events on a global scale, for instance the cases of the UK and Francethe markets in these nations tried taxing the entire prize pool but then went back to the older models of charging only the GGR. The Goas Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho, who is a member of the GoM for GST on Online Gaming has taken cognizance of the industry view and said that the industry is not against a 28% taxation rate but wants the rates to be in accordance with international practices of charging on the GGR. Increasing tax rate is one aspect but levying tax on the entire consideration value and not the platform fee or the revenue a platform makes, could be devastating for the entire sector. a senior official at Indonesias Communications Ministry, said in a text message websites that have been blocked include Yahoo, PayPal and gaming sites like Steam, Dota2, Counter-Strike and EpicGames, among others.

PayPal, Yahoos parent private equity firm Apollo Global Management and U.S. game developer Valve Corporation, which runs Steam, Dota and Counter-Strike, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. EpicGames could not be reached for comment.

Hashtags like BlokirKominfo (block Communication Ministry), Epic Games and PayPal trended on Indonesian Twitter, with many writing messages criticising the governments move as hurting Indonesias online gaming industry and freelance workers who use PayPal.

Pangerapan said the government will find a solution for people to withdraw their deposits from PayPal, which may include reopening access to its website for a short period, he told Metro TV.

Authorities would unblock the websites if they comply with registration rules, he said, defending the measure as protection for Indonesian internet users.

With an estimated 191 million internet users and a young, social-media savvy population, the Southeast Asian nation is a significant market for a host of tech platforms.

The author is vice president of solutions at Concentrix. Views expressed are personal.

Read Also: IAA rallies the advertising, media and entertainment industry to raise their Voice of Change

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Why online gaming industrys candle is burning on both ends amidst governments ambivalence - The Financial Express

Alex Man is closing in on a temporary transfer to Rapid Bucharest in his native Romania.

The 22-year-old joined the 2020 MLS Cup winners in March last year for around $1.5 million from Romanian club Viitorul. Man also had transfer options in Europe, but opted to join The Crew while hoping to impress in the MLS. In his first season with Columbus, he played a total of 30 matches across all competitions without scoring. The winger was limited to just six first-team appearances in 2022, all of them coming from the bench. Man featured for the Crews second team in MLS Next Pro on four occasions.

In his first campaign as an MLS player, Man only started nine times, coming on as a sub in another 19 games. He didnt record any MLS goal despite his 19 attempts (out of which eight were targeted), nor did he assist any.

Man, who was one of the best young players in the Romanian league before his switch to the MLS, impressed at the U21 Euros in 2021 for his country. Rapid, his future club, is challenging for a seat in the playoffs this season, coming fresh from beating title contenders FCSB 2-0 on Sunday.

Rapid will initially loan Man.

Columbus sits sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 7-5-9 record from 21 matches. The bookmakers place them at +2500 to win the MLS Cup this year, suggesting a triumph for Caleb Porters team would be a major surprise.

LAFC tops the MLS Cup favorites list at +250, followed by defending champions New York City FC at +350 and Philadelphia Union at +500.

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Exclusive: Columbus Crew's Man is On His Way Back to... - Online Gambling

The Grade 2 San Diego Handicap is considered the major prep for Del Mars flagship race: the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. But you can be forgiven if you mistake this nine-horse field for what lies ahead Labor Day weekend in the Pacific Classic.

And thats not only because defending Pacific Classic champion Tripoli (6/1 on the morning line) is in the field of Del Mars Saturday co-featured race. This is a particularly deep and talented San Diego Handicap field, one teasing handicappers with varied options that include four Grade 1 winners, a Kentucky Derby champion, a Dubai World Cup winner and a Hollywood Gold Cup winner.

Speaking of that Hollywood Gold Cup, not only do you get the winner: There Goes Harvard (5/1), you get the 2-3-4 finishers from that race: Defunded (5/1), Royal Ship (4/1) and Stilleto Boy (6/1).

Seven of the nine horses tackling the 1 1/16-mile San Diego carry morning line odds in single digits. Clearly, this line challenged every ounce of Del Mar morning line writer Jon Whites line-setting acumen. Everyone but returning allowance winners Parnelli (15/1) and Seor Buscador (20/1) come in between 5/2 and 6/1.

So whos favored in this class of near-equals? The aforementioned Dubai World Cup winner: Country Grammer (5/2), who returns to the States after winning $10.46 million in his Middle Eastern sojourn. The 5-year-old Bob Baffert trainee finished second in the $20 million Saudi Cup, then won $7 million in the Dubai World Cup a month later.

This is Country Grammers first US race since he won the Hollywood Gold Cup in May 2021. After that race, he missed the rest of 2021 with an injury. That Country Grammer hasnt run in four months is immaterial, considering what he did coming out of a nine-month layoff. Bafferts custom is to send his charges on quick drills to improve speed. And Country Grammer responded with three consecutive bullets coming in, including a 1:11.40 six-furlong work that was best of nine July 24.

Beside Country Grammer, the name that jumps off the entry list is Mandaloun (4/1). Yes, Brad Cox sent the slumping 2021 Kentucky Derby winner to California for the first time in an effort to roust him from a two-race slump. Mandaloun finished a woeful ninth in the Saudi Cup, then a non-factor fourth by nine lengths in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster.

The question facing Mandaloun in the San Diego is can the second race off a layoff be the ticket back to prominence? Or are his best days behind him? Thats the question bettors must ask.

Thats the same question Tripolis supporters face. Hes 0-for-3 since winning last summers Pacific Classic. And he hasnt been particularly competitive, turning in two fourths and a seventh without hitting triple-digits in Equibase Speed Figures. One of those fourths did come on turf, in the Grade 3 American Stakes on Santa Anitas closing weekend in June.

There Goes Harvard, the leader of the four Hollywood Gold Cup ex-pats, comes into the San Diego on a three-race winning streak. He went from winning two allowances to winning a Grade 1 by a length at 8.80/1. There Goes Harvard hasnt finished out of the exacta in seven races (4-3-0), although three of those came against lesser competition at Ellis Park.

Defunded, the other Baffert, hasnt missed the exacta in his last five starts (2-3-0). Like There Goes Harvard, who beat him by that length in the Hollywood Gold Cup, Defunded owns three consecutive increasing Equibase Speed Figures. Unlike There Goes Harvard, Defunded has run against good competition. He has to be considered here.

Royal Ship, who finished third in that race, finished third in this one last year. He has a first and a third this year, coming out of a seventh in last years Pacific Classic. After that race, trainer Richard Mandella sent the Brazilian-bred gelding to the sidelines for eight months. He came back with a victory in the Listed John Shear Mile at Santa Anita in April.

Morning Line (Jockey/Trainer)

Stilleto Boy had his four-race, in-the-money streak broken at the Hollywood Gold Cup. Before then, he won the Grade 2 Californian and finished third in three Grade 1s: the Santa Anita Handicap, the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the Malibu Stakes.

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San Diego Handicap Punches Above It's Weight as Pacific Classic... - Online Gambling